So after recently started watching Sherlock, I was wondering what anyones favorite detectives/detective shows are.

In my case:Hercule Poirot (both books and series): based somewhat on Sherlock Holmes, but where Holmes is master of the empirical evidence, Poirot takes the psychological approach. As a character, Poirot isn't really likeable (more of a pompous ass) but I really like the stories. From start to finish you're wondering who dunnit (and how or why) which all gets revealed at the classic mass meeting (the butler dunnit! Or did he...). It really gets you involved to solve the case from start to finish. Oh and David Suchet absolutely nails it in the tv series.

Columbo: just seen a little so far, but I was immediately sold and I'm planning to see more in the future. Like Poirot, he takes the psychological approach but as a character he's the anti-Poirot (if they'd ever shake hands, the universe would likely implode). He looks sloppy, distracted and incompetent but and that makes everyone underestimate him. And that's when he starts trolling his suspects for answers. Every time they think they're of the hook he goes "Oh and another thing...". Love it.

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Marple is also good, as we're talking Agatha Christie. The anonymous old lady sitting in the corner watching everything that is going on. The phrase "quintessentially English" sums her up. Joan Hickson captured it perfectly, if you want to watch the on-screen version.

I quite like Rebus, Edinburgh's finest. There is a bit of the "cop who doesn't play by the rules" cliche about him, but he's incredibly human and no gunslinging hero. I liked the way that his character aged in real time - up to the point that he retired. Often characters in fiction stay at a fixed point in time age-wise. It has been made into a TV series, but I never watched any of them.

My wife and I really liked Monk when it was on. Tony Shaloub really nailed the character. Just an interesting twist on the police detective character - he's hoplessly akward socially, severely OCD, and profoundly traumatized. Oh, and he's brilliant at solving murders.

We also really like Psych. It's irreverant fun and its pretty funny. Show also gets props for having Cary Elwes as an international art theif who makes recurring appearances.

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Favourite TV detective atm is The Mentalist. Patrick Jane is just plane fun to watch. Book wise, Enola Holmes. Peach cookie for anyone who even knows who that is without having to look it up.

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The Nero Wolfe series of books is probably my favourite. A&E did a couple of seasons of episodes which are pretty true to the original material, so those who wish to be introduced to the characters and settings can easily do so by watching them.

Aside from Wolfe, yeah, Sherlock Holmes was great when I first read it, and I really liked the new TV re-imagining of the character.

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Grumps McGruff.

Thread over.

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Veronica Mars. Totally blindsided by this one; glancing at it, it looked like something aimed at teen girls. To some degree it is, the first season has a bit too much juvenile high school stuff for my liking, but that's a minor flaw at worst. The show is surprisingly intelligent, and the relationship between Keith and Veronica is great.

I would have to go with Poirot. However if we are allowed detectives from fantasy type universes, I would add Lu Xiao Feng. Not only is he good at detective work, but he kicks arse and takes names in the fighting department.

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I loved Monk and Psyche but my favorite is probably Veronica Mars. Though the shows quality drooped a bit towards the end of it's run it was still a really good show and I enjoyed it a tons... and I think a developed a creepy stalker girl-crush on Kristen Bell from it.

Oh and Kamen Rider W... what it counts doesn't it? He is a hard-half boiled kinda detective and he has a fancy hat! I mean how many private detectives in this thread have ever drop kicked a tyrannosaurs?

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I was going to fly in here with Murder, She Wrote but you just pants that.

For serious answer I used to freaking love watching A Touch Of Frost with my mum; in hindsight this may have been because I enjoyed sitting up late with her while she guessed at the possible conclusions. Also David Jason in tweed everything ruled. And Yorkshire, come on.

These days I occassionally watch Castle but that's only for Nathan Fillion and the hot chick whose name escapes me.

Well I enjoy Castle as well, although strictly speaking he is a writer. The other detective show I liked was Forever Knight, but I am not sure if vampire cops counts as a detective. But Nick Knight was awesome.

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Sherlock Holmes - Classic, "Sherlock" and movie versions. Batman - The world's Greatest detective. (And actually written as one in the animated series', and Paul Dini's run on "Detective comics").R.Daneel Olivaw & Elijah Bailey. (Asimov).The Black Widowers, and the butler from said series. (I love Isaac Asimov's Detective stories for their immense use of Lateral thinking and logical, inventive thought).Hercule Poirot. Tintin! (Alright, so he's a reporter, but he functions as a detective ).If you're counting Sam Vimes as a detective rather than copper, you might as well count Granny Weatherwax .

A far cry from them, but still not too bad are Harry Copperfield Dresden (more for the series and supporting cast than his lackluster detective skills) and Takachi Kovacs. (Richard K. Morgan - "Altered Carbon", et).

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It would be really hard for me to pick a favorite I read Dupin and Holmes back when I was six, I still have a strong soft spot for alcoholic private detective who was originally a Captain America spin off....

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The Yosemite Bear wrote:

It would be really hard for me to pick a favorite I read Dupin and Holmes back when I was six, I still have a strong soft spot for alcoholic private detective who was originally a Captain America spin off....

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Can we pick from any genre? If so, I would have to throw Harry Copperfield Blackstone Dresden into the ring. I mean, what's not to love about Chicago's (and the world's) only practicing wizard private detective?

Also, Psych for its shear irreverence and humor. Veronica Mars was also quite well done, though a little slow to start in the first season and tapering off in quality towards the end.

Of course, Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential detective. I believe I first read Hound of the Baskervilles before I turned 10 and have been hooked ever since.

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